California Assembly Bill 468
Thursday April 01, 2021
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is proud to share the latest updates on our recent advocacy efforts in California that could have far reaching implications for the service dog industry in the U.S. With our partners at Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), GDB is proud to co-sponsor California legislation that would crack down on fraudulent service animals while protecting public access rights for people with legitimate service dogs like guide dogs.
What is California Assembly Bill 486 about?
AB468 is designed to address the growing online sale of fraudulent service animal certificates by unscrupulous opportunists. These certificates are sold to consumers with promises of giving their pets public access equal to that of people with legitimate service dogs like guide dogs. In addition to cheating people out of their money, these misleading business practices have also resulted in putting innocent, untrained animals in uncomfortable, scary, and even dangerous situations. Unfortunately, legitimate service dogs, as well as innocent bystanders, have also been hurt by these untrained animals. GDB is sponsoring this bill to protect the public access rights of guide dogs and ensure long and productive partnerships for our guide teams.
You can read the full text of the bill and follow its progress at the following link: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB468
9/16 UPDATE: AB468 HAS PASSED!
9/1 UPDATE: The final version of AB468 has passed the California State Assembly Floor. The bill will now go to the Governor's office.
8/30 UPDATE: AB468 has passed the California State Senate Floor with unanimous support. The bill will now move back to the Assembly to approve the amended text.
5/14 UPDATE: AB468 has passed the California State Assembly Floor with bipartisan support. The bill will now move to the California Senate for approval before it can be sent to the California Governor's office.
4/13 UPDATE: We’re happy to report that AB468 passed the California State Assembly Business and Professions Committee by a vote of 17-0. Every Committee review, every vote, every step along the way strengthen our resolve to protect the rights of Guide-dog users to travel safely and participate fully in their community with dignity.
How you can help:
- If you live in California, please lend your support by emailing or calling your Assemblymember and urging them to vote YES on AB468. Find your Assemblymember and their contact info at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov ca.gov.
- Download a supportive letter you can email to your Assemblymember.
Thank you for all you do to support our mission and to help us advocate for policy reforms that protect and serve our clients. Together, we are unstoppable!